Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi says his squad must improve their ‘mentality’ ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park. The game sees two sides gunning for Europe next season, with Eddie Howe’s Magpies looking for the points to help them seal a Champions League spot, and the Seagulls hoping to qualify in the top six. The Italian is well aware that his squad will have to cope with such demands if they are to compete on many fronts in the future, but knows this season’s work isn’t done yet, with a big test against Newcastle just days away.
Roberto de Zerbi said: “We have to improve in mentality, we are not used to playing three games per week. We won a fantastic game with Man United and after four days we played against Everton and we didn’t use the victory against Manchester United. We started the game with the same shirts of the game against United and I think this is the most important part to improve. Yes I am very delighted for the performances. I think we deserved to win but then really happy, really proud because the last five days were very difficult after the defeat on Monday (against Everton). We have 58 points and not enough to qualify for Europe. We have another four games, tough games, Newcastle, Southampton, City and last game Aston Villa and we have to fight to deserve to qualify because 58 points is not enough to play Thursdays next year.”
There has already been much speculation over the future of some Brighton stars, with the Moses Caicedo heavily linked with Arsenal in the January transfer window and Alexis Mac Allister a target for Liverpool. De Zerbi acknowledges some might move on in the summer, but wants to be able to offer them room to develop at the Amex.
Roberto De Zerbi added: “Of course we will lose some players – maybe Caicedo, maybe Mac Allister. We have to be ready to bring in another good players, and the others, for Mitoma and Estupinan, I think for them the best solution is to stay with us. I don’t know if they are ready to play in the big teams, you can explain better than me to ‘play in a big team.’ We can offer them the possibility to progress and improve.”
